“As you have seen from the Together Magazine, I am trying to cycle much more and I am really enjoying the experience. I have a special interest in the project to place a cycle rack in the churchyard and this has progressed. The current proposal is that the rack will have 3 Sheffield stands which will enable 6 cycles to be parked. The rack will be sited near the new church notice board and sat upon a concrete base that has been coloured to blend into the environment. If you have any thoughts about this project, do have a word with John Chester or myself.”

Well done to everyone who helped to make the Craft Fair last Saturday such a success. There was a really warm spirit of community with us throughout the day and monies raised will go towards church funds. The stalls were bright and colourful and the coffee shop did good trade. The next craft fair will be on 28th November. Thanks to Debbie and her team for all their had work.

The Craft Fair took place in St Mary’s on Saturday 30th May. A wonderful spread of imaginative and creative goodies were on display for sale – food, jewellery, cards, toys, etc. The coffee shop did a rip roaring trade and a raffle was held for various prizes. A good day was had by all. Many thanks to Debbie and her team.

“Sunday 31st May is Trinity Sunday and our focus is—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The understanding of a Trinitarian God is challenging but also exciting and revealing. It is my hope and prayer that you will leave St Mary Magdalene’s today having moved forwards in your Christian journey.

The classic definition of the Trinity is: God exists as three persons but is one being, having a single divine nature. The members of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action and will.”

“Last week Sunday we enjoyed Pentecost with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Revd Peter Hancock—and he enjoyed it too! He has spoken warmly about the warmth of the welcome he received, the quality of the music and the joy of the “Pentecost rocket” with the children.

Dennis and Susanne have produced a photo montage of the Bishop hitching up his robes and sending the rocket into rapid assent followed by the “Holy Spirit” shower of bubbles. This will soon be uploaded onto the website.

Many thanks and well done everyone for taking part in the Pentecost Languages event. It was excellent, well received and the Bishop appreciated it very much.”

On Sunday 24th May we celebrate Pentecost – a major festival when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirt to the disciples in Jerusalem.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2

To help us celebrate Pentecost Sunday we are delighted to welcome Bishop Peter this morning to preach and preside. Bishop Peter has made such a positive impact on our Diocese since he arrived and we look forward to God’s message that he will bring to us. Do stay for coffee after the service and speak to Bishop Peter.

We are delighted to see the return of our beautiful Pentecost banner. The unusual word on it is written in Koine (Common or Biblical) Greek and is pnuma (pnuma) which means spirit or wind (pneumonia and pneumatic are English words which come from this root).

The PCC had a really good Away Day at the Mill House in Tiverton last Saturday 16th May. The weather was bright and sunny and it is a place where you feel away from it all.

The PCC members worked hard on the beginnings of a five year plan for St Mary Magdalene.

They also agreed to donate £20,000 to the bell fund for a St Mary Magdalene bell. This means only the 9th and tenor bells are left to sponsor. In addition, the largest chime bell has been designated “The Somerset Bell” to represent all the people of Somerset and anyone who has anything to do with Somerset is being invited to chip in £2 or more to help fund it. We estimate we are about £72,000 short of the £300,000. This is an incredible achievement. We can begin to truly believe that soon our new bells will ring out.

The Vicarage Home Group is studying “The Conversations with Jesus” a book by Ben’s brother Patrick Whitworth. They had a really good time on Wednesday evening and there is still space if you would like to join us when we meet again on Wednesday 3rd June. Just come along at 7.30pm – you will be most welcome,

AGAPE will next meet on Tuesday 26th May in the Upper Room and continue in its reading of the Letter to the Hebrews.

There will be the following stalls: cakes and preserves, jewellery, cards, craft and a sale table run by the MU. There will also be a raffle in church. Donations, cakes, preserves and/or raffle prizes can be brought into church early that morning.

Please contact Debbie Whittaker via the office if you are able to make any donations